Passo di Spino

Overview

Passo di Spino is short on paper and savage in reality. Across just 8 km it drags you from a start at 70 m up to a summit of 1170 m, a net gain of 1100 m. The average gradient is a punishing 13.73%, which puts it firmly in the hors catégorie (HC) tier — the hardest classification, sitting above categories 1, 2, 3 and 4. There is no easing into this one. Do the quick math and 8 km at nearly 14% is a wall that barely lets up, with a total ascent of 1073 m packed into a distance most riders would consider a warm-up.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number here is the gap between average and maximum. A 13.73% average is already relentless, but the max gradient hits 29.03% — more than double the average. That tells you the climb is not a uniform grind; it spikes. Expect ramps that pitch far beyond the average, forcing you out of the saddle or into a survival cadence, interspersed with sections that only feel merciful by comparison. With 1100 m of net gain over 8 km and a total ascent of 1073 m, there is essentially no flat, no false recovery. The shape is a steady steep base punctuated by brutal kicks, and the closer you read the 29.03% figure, the more respect the climb earns.

Pacing Notes

On a climb averaging 13.73%, pacing is everything, because the steep ramps will spike your power well above threshold whether you like it or not. Ride the whole thing at your FTP and you will blow apart on the first pitch toward 29.03%. Instead, target a sustainable effort below threshold on the base sections so you have headroom for the spikes. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit. Over 8 km and 1100 m of gain, the difference between a controlled tempo and an early over-effort is the difference between finishing and walking.

Gearing

Do not underestimate the gearing you need for a 13.73% average with ramps to 29.03%. A 34×32 is the bare minimum here, and honestly only workable if you have serious climbing legs and a light setup. For most riders, a 34×34 is the smarter choice — that extra sprocket buys you a lower cadence floor exactly where the 29.03% pitches try to stall you out. Given the sustained nature of 8 km and 1073 m of total ascent, err toward the easier ratio. Spinning a 34×34 up the steep sections beats grinding a 34×32 into the red and cracking before the 1170 m summit.

Summary

Passo di Spino is a compact monster: 8 km, a 13.73% average, and spikes to 29.03% that define its character more than any other stat. From 70 m to 1170 m you climb 1100 m net, with 1073 m of total ascent, all earning it the HC rating. Gear low, pace conservatively, and respect the ramps.

Length: 8 km
Average gradient: 13.73%
Max gradient: 29.03%
Start: 70 m
Summit: 1170 m
Net gain: 1100 m
Total ascent: 1073 m
Category: HC